This ritual is set up for one person. All steps can be separated for two or more En. (Priests) This is a very easy ritual, no major lines to recite or pageantry to spend all your energy and time putting together. All you need is:
drum
robe
4 candles
cedar smudge stick
water
large pine cone
bread
meat
wine or milk
fire pit
something to represent the moon
4 bowls
2 serving trays
3 small tables, 2 for altars, 1 for tools
Setting up sacred space
The lunar month begins at new moon. Beginnings should always happen at new moon. You may begin this at the current new moon or at the ancient new moon which is approximately 3-5 days after invisible moon. If you already have specific deities in mind, you can substitute those I am using in this ritual. 1)
make sure the space is well-cleaned. Leave your ritual robe in the sacred space on the altar for the gods. 2) Place the altar for the gods in the north. The heavens are north because they are up. The heavens are the home of the sky gods. On the altar, you can put seeds in a bowl as an offering to the sky gods. 3) Place the altar for the underworld in the south or south-east. The south is earth. We stand upon earth and we are buried in earth. Earth is below us. In the south, have a potted plant, wheat, or some other grain for the earth gods. Place one tray on the floor, in front of the plant. 4) if you are able, use a small BBQ as your fire pit. It is convenient and made to hold a small fire. Put ceramic tile or bricks under it so that the heat doesn’t scorch anything. Always have a fire extinguisher nearby. This step is recommended ONLY if you are working outdoors. If you are inside, you can use a candle to represent the east. East is fire. The sun rises in the east, the sun is fire. 5) because the sun sets in the west, and there is a river to cross before getting into the underworld, the west is water. We don’t use water to represent, though, we use a pile of stones or a skull. The west is the entrance to the underworld. Place a tray on the floor in front of the west. 6) the 4 bowls should be resting on the tool table. Bowl 1 has water, 2 seeds, 3 and 4 will be empty at this time.
Your sacred space should be set up.
(En entering the space from the east, steps up to the altar of the gods and takes robe. En should be naked, clean from bath or shower. Put robe on. Stand in the center of the space, facing north, both arms raised)
“Nanna, father moon, returned from the underworld to cast your light of blessing and illumination upon us. Glorified one who makes bright, who furnishes light for the people, to guide the people on the right path. Bright is your light in heaven, brilliant is your torch like fire, your brightness fills the land. The great gods bow before your presence, your council is welcomed by them. This is the time of darkness, the time of great mysteries. As your light continues to grow, may you illuminate the path for us.”(En lights the candles at east, north, west, and south. Pick up smudge stick from tool table and light it with the eastern candle. Beginning at the east and moving sun-wise, circle the space while saying: )
“Ban! Ban! Barrier that none can pass,(continue repeating until the space is completely smudged. Next, pick up water bowl and pine cone, moving sun-wise again, repeat the same banishing spell as En sprinkles water around the space.)
“Ban! Ban! Barrier that none can pass,(Replace bowl and cone on table and return to the center, facing north and holding out arms.)
“Nanna! decider of the destinies, whose word no one alters, who controls fire and water, leader of living creatures! Your word drifts along in heaven like the wind it makes rich the feeding and drinking of the land.”(From the tool table, pick up the representation of the moon and hold it up.)
“From the base of heaven to zenith, you open the door of heaven and give light to all the people.”(Place moon on altar to the gods. Pick up drum and make a happy beat as En dances around the space in joy at the return of the moon god.)
(Place the drum on the floor by the gods altar. Take meat from tools table and hold it up to the west.)
“Nanna! at the end of the month, take with you this offering of food for the dead. Offer it to my ancestors and to those souls in the underworld without anyone to remember them. As you stand in judgment during the dark time, look kindly upon the souls before you and offer our praise to the Queen, the lady Ereshkigal, whose home we will all one day see.”
(Place the meat on the tray in front of the western entrance. This meat is now dead and may NOT be consumed. After the ritual, take the meat outside and bury it.)
(Take water bowl again and pour water into the plant at the south. Take the bread and wine and place them on the tray at the south as these words are spoken)
“Nanna! When your word settles down upon the earth green vegetation appears. Your word makes fertile your people and all your creatures.”(Replace the water and turn to the east, raising arms.)
“Nanna! your word causes truth and justice to be so that the people speak the truth. Rise and know that your light is welcome. Rise and know that your presence radiates in us as we walk the path of truth and beauty.” “Nanna! may all the gods sing your praises as we sing your praises! May all the gods dance in joyful union as the dead rise and smell the incense and as the drum sounds for all eternity!”(Pick up the drum and dance! Feast and be merry, remember to bury all offerings to the dead outside.)
Continue in ritual for the lunar month. At the first dark of the moon, close the sacred space by thanking Nanna for his attendance. Nothing else needs to be done. Take all the supplies and clean them to be used the following week at the new ritual
The ritual does not end, it is part of life. Take the energy with you and let everyone see it shine from you. Let the gods dance with you on your daily journey. And may you dance with the gods.
You may substitute deities. Nanna is always appropriate for the moon festivals. If you have a temple god, welcome that deity first.
East = Utu (m) or Inanna (f)
North = Enlil (m) or Ninlil (f)
West = Ereshkigal (f) or Nergal (m)
South = Enki (m) or Ninhursaga (f)